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Montezuma Montezuma Hotels - Montezuma Restaurants

Transportation Costa Rica: Montezuma, Nicoya Peninsula

Nicoya Peninsula by plane, car, bus, ferry. From Punteranus, San Jose, San Pablo, Jicaral, Lepanto, Playa Naranjo, and Paquera to Tambor, Montezuma in Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula.


By Plane -- The nearest airport is in Tambor, 17km (11 miles) away. Some of the hotels listed below might be willing to pick you up in Tambor for a reasonable fee. If not, you'll have to hire a taxi, which could cost anywhere between $15 and $25. Taxis are generally waiting to meet most regularly scheduled planes, but if they aren't, you can call Gilberto (tel. 642-0241) or Ronald (tel. 822-0610) for a cab.

By Car -- The traditional route here is to take the Interamerican Highway from San José to Puntarenas and catch the ferry to either Naranjo or Paquera. Montezuma is about 50 minutes south of Tambor, 1 1/4 hours south of Paquera, and 2 3/4 hours south of Naranjo. The road from Paquera to Tambor is paved, and taking the Paquera ferry will save you time and some rough, dusty driving. The road from Naranjo to Paquera is all dirt and gravel and is in bad shape.

Two companies are running a car ferry between Puntarenas and Paquera, and this has eased some of the load. However, I still recommend arriving early during the peak season and on weekends because lines can be quite long; if you miss the next ferry, you'll have to wait around 2 hours or more for the next one. Ferries to Paquera (Naviera Tambor: tel. 661-2084; Paquera Ferry: tel. 641-0515) leave roughly every 2 hours between 5am and 8:15pm. The trip takes 1 1/2 hours. The fare is around $10 for a car and driver, $1.50 for additional adults, $4 for adults in first class, $1 for children, and $2 for children in first class. The ferry schedule changes frequently, with extra ferries often added to meet demand. It is always best to check in advance.

The Naranjo ferry (tel. 661-1069) leaves daily at 6 and 10am and 2:20 and 7pm. The trip takes 1 1/2 hours. The fare is $12 for cars, $2 for adults, and 75¢ for children.

However, with the opening of the Tempisque River bridge, there is another option. Although heading farther north and crossing the bridge is more circuitous, you will be driving the whole time, which is quite a bit faster than taking a ferry. Moreover, you will not be at the whim of the ferry schedule and the sometimes sold-out boats. To go this route, take the Interamerican Highway west from San José. Forty-seven kilometers (29 miles) past the turnoff for Puntarenas, turn left for the Tempisque River bridge. After you cross the Tempisque River, head to Quebrada Honda and then south to Route 21, following signs for San Pablo, Jicaral, Lepanto, Playa Naranjo, and Paquera. This route is recommended if you foresee waiting more than 2 hours for a ferry.

The car ferry from Paquera to Puntarenas leaves roughly every 2 hours between 6am and 9pm.

By Bus & Ferry -- If you're traveling from San José by public transportation, it takes two buses and a ferry ride to get to Montezuma.

Express buses (tel. 222-0064) leave for Puntarenas from San José daily every 30 minutes between 6am and 9pm from Calle 16 and Avenida 12. Trip duration is 2 1/2 hours; the fare is $3.

From Puntarenas, you can take one of the car ferries mentioned above or the passenger launch Paquereña (tel. 641-0515), which leaves from the pier behind the market at 6 and 11:30am and 3pm. Ferry-trip duration is 1 1/2 hours; the fare is $2. The bus south to Montezuma will be waiting to meet the ferry when it arrives in Paquera. The bus ride takes 1 1/2 hours; the fare is $3. Be careful not to take the Naranjo ferry because it does not meet with regular onward bus transportation to Montezuma.

Buses these days are met by hordes of locals trying to corral you to one of the many budget hotels. Remember, they are getting a commission for every body they bring in, so their information is biased.

When you're ready to return, buses for Paquera leave Montezuma daily at 5:30, 8, and 10am, noon, and 2 and 4pm to connect with the various ferries back to Puntarenas. The Paquereña ferry leaves for Puntarenas at 7:30am and 1:30 and 4:30pm. Buses to San Jose leave Puntarenas daily every 30 minutes between 5:30am and 8pm.

 

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